But she has forgone the big bucks for a gig with the Ballymount broadcaster.

Michelle told the Irish Sun: “I’ve had lots of paid work in the past but sometimes things are worth more than money. I love Ireland and if I can help someone achieve their dream, that to me is worth more than money.”

Asked if she told TV3 bosses money wasn’t a priority, Michelle said: “That’s exactly what happened. They are paying me in potatoes. But I get to work with Louis Walsh, who is a really good friend.”

The Irish pop manager, reported to be trousering a €150,000 paycheck as the show’s chief judge, played a key role in getting Michelle on to Ireland’s Got Talent.

Speaking about the show, Michelle said: “We’re looking for anything unpredictable. We want to see the crazy and the ­unexpected.

“At this stage, we have seen all the great singers and dancers. The object now is to see what can make an act stand out.”

However, Michelle isn’t sure how long she will need to spend here for filming and live shows. She said: “I don’t know the dates for when I’ll be going back and forth yet. But we will be taking breaks, and I’ll be touring.

“I hope Louis might set up a bedroom for me in Dublin as I’ll have to set up a base in Ireland and spend time over there.”

Michelle — who was born in New Jersey, US — admits one of the hardest parts of her job on Ireland’s Got Talent will be understanding the local accents.

She said: “I’ve lots of Irish friends in the US but there are so many different parts of Ireland and so many different dialects. What will get me through is I love Ireland and Irish culture so much. I’m looking forward to getting totally immersed in it.”

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Such is the popularity of ­RuPaul’s Drag Race in the US, Michelle later took the finalists on a world live tour. And the 49-year-old has promised to offer the same support to the winner of Ireland’s Got Talent.